RESEARCH GROUP Biotechnology & Sustainable Chemistry

The Research Platform for Biotechnology and Sustainable Chemistry (BioSusChem) of HES-SO Valais//Wallis is an interdisciplinary research

group that brings together competences in applied research to serve societal, industrial and academic needs.

Mission: Initiate and inspire biotechnological and chemical innovation to address current and emerging challenges while providing sustainable

solutions.

Priority areas include bioprocess engineering, biomaterials, bioresources, (bio)analytics, biocatalysis, sustainable energy & chemistry.

RESEARCH AREAS

(Bio)Analytics

STATE OF THE ART EQUIPMENT FOR RESEARCH AND SERVICES:

• (Bio)separations: LC (analytical & semi-pre-

parative scale), LC-MS (qTOF, qqq), elec-

trophoresis (planar, capillary) of proteins,

antibodies, enzymes, active pharmaceutical

ingredients

• Structure elucidation (NMR, FT-IR, MSn)

• Chiral analysis (LC, GC, CE, polarimetry)

• Elemental analysis (AAS, AES, ICO-OES)

• Biocompatibility (LAL test) and standar-

dized in vitro cell assays (ISO10993 based

methods)

• ELISA, enzyme activity, fluorescence assays

• Gene expression, transgene copy number,

host cell residual DNA (qPCR)

• Method development & validation: ISO

17025 certified (analytical chemistry,

microbiology, qPCR)

Sustainable Chemistry & EnergyCUSTOMIZED SYSTEM ENGINEERING IS PROVIDED IN THE FIELDS OF:

• Hydrogen generation by microbial electro-

lysis cell

• Bioethanol Refining

• Plasma technology for material treatment

and analysis

• Electrolytic Hydrogen generation &

conversion

• Photovoltaics

• Phosphate recovery from digested sewage

sludge

• Methane production using bioelectric

systems

• Microalgae as tool for solar-driven chemical

production

Bioprocess Engineering

BIOPROCESS DEVELOPMENT FOR RESEARCH AND INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION:

• Design and scale-up of batch, fed-batch

and continuous cultivation of: aerobic and

anaerobic bacteria, fungi, mammalian cells

and algae)

• Strain development, (screening and selec-

tion of expression systems)

• Process analytical technology (PAT) for

bioprocess optimization and scale-up from

micro-bioreactor to 300 L

• Downstream processing: filtration, centrifu-

gation, extraction, fixed and fluidized bed

adsorption, chromatography, membrane

separation from lab to pilot scale

BioresourcesRENEWABLE BIORESOURCES ARE INVESTIGATED FOR BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL TREATMENT:

• Solids: Polysaccharides (cellulose and

hemicellulose) and complex mixtures

(food waste,), microalgae

• Liquids: Industrial and municipal (orga-

nic) waste streams and waste from food

industry

• Gases: CO2, H2, CO (syngas)

BiocatalysisCOMPLEX REACTIONS ARE CARRIED OUT BY DIVERSE ENZYME SYSTEMS:

• Stereo- ,regio- and chemoselective enzy-

matic catalysis and whole cell biotransfor-

mation of waste into fuel products

• Synthesis of biosurfactants, biolubricants

and biodiesel

• Stabilisation of enzymes by ionic liquids

• Rate enhancement of enzymatic catalyses

using ionic liquids

• Inverse hydrolyses using solvent free enzy-

matic catalysis conditions

BiomaterialsPRODUCTION, PROCESSING AND (ANALYTICAL) CHARACTERIZATION OF BIOMATERIALS:

• Biopolyesters, polysaccharides, proteins,

peptides, DNA/RNA

• Tailor-made polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA)

for industrial and medical applications

• Medical implants (collagen substitute)

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORSSimon Crelier, Ph.D.

Expertise : Biotechnology, DSP, enzyme

technology

Franka Kalman, Ph.D.

Expertise : Bioanalytics, characterization and

quality control of (bio)molecules

Sergio Schmid, Ph.D.

Expertise : Molecular biology, recombinant

production and strain engineering

Fabian Fischer, Ph.D.

Expertise : Biotechnology, biocatalysis,

chemical biotechnology & biofuels

Christof Ellert, Ph.D.

Expertise : Plasma technology, hydrogen

production & conversion, system design

Manfred Zinn, Ph.D.

Expertise : Biotechnology, bioprocess

engineering & biomaterials

CONTACT PERSON Manfred Zinn, Ph.D.

University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland Valais

Institute of Life Technologies

Route du Rawyl 64 – CH–1950 Sion 2

T +41 27 606 86 11 • T +41 27 606 86 66 (direct) • F +41 27 606 86 15

E-Mail: manfred.zinn@hevs.ch • Website: http://itv.hevs.ch